Indian Doctors

Maharashtra doctors strike against govt nod for homeopaths' registration

Doctors across Maharashtra went on a 24-hour strike on Thursday to protest the government's decision to allow the registration of homeopathic doctors, who have completed a certificate course in modern pharmacology, in the state medical council. Nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors across the state, including in private hospitals, were participating in the strike, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam claimed. However, all emergency and critical services were continuing. The doctors' body has claimed the decision (registration of certified homeopaths) poses a serious threat to the safety of patients and quality of healthcare services. Earlier this year, the state government directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to register homoeopaths who had completed the one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), to allow them to prescribe allopathic medicines to patients in select cases. However, the notification was withdrawn after the IM

Eye helpline launched to connect patients nationwide with Delhi doctors

Making eye care accessible to citizens, a team of leading ophthalmologists in Delhi have launched a national eye helpline number to connect doctors with patients from all over the country. The initiative, spearheaded under the banner of Sight Sarthi India Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, promises free telephonic and video consultations for anyone across the country struggling with eye problems. Headed by Dr Ikeda Lal, cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon and medical director at Delhi Eye Centre, the helpline is set to become a lifeline for millions - especially those in remote towns and villages who often struggle to access quality ophthalmic care. With a dedicated team of leading ophthalmologists from Delhi, the project is designed to break barriers of geography, cost, and access. From cataract and refractive errors to preventable blindness, millions either delay or avoid treatment due to lack of access or high cost of travel, Dr Lal said. "The newly launched helplin

National Doctors' Day: Why India celebrates its medical heroes on July 1

Observed on July 1, National Doctors' Day honours Indian medical professionals and commemorates the legacy of Dr B C Roy, a pioneer of public health

National Doctors' Day: What's in a doctor's bag besides a stethoscope?

From stethoscopes to chocolate bars, doctors carry essentials that blend clinical care with personal comfort, revealing the real life behind the white coat

Long hours, low safety: Over 80% of India's doctors face burnout

Over 80 per cent of doctors report mental exhaustion, with young women in smaller cities among the worst affected, shows National Doctors' Day survey

10 Arthritis Myths Busted by Doctors | Fact-check Friday: What You Really Need to Know

Think arthritis only affects the elderly? Or that cracking your knuckles is to blame? On this Fact-check Friday, we bust 10 common myths about arthritis.

RG Kar case: HC says corruption has serious impact on public confidence

Hearing an appeal by R G Kar Medical College's former principal Sandip Ghosh seeking postponement of framing of charges in a financial irregularities case, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday observed that corruption in high places has serious impact on public confidence in the affairs of the state. The division bench presided by Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the special court, before which the trial in the case is to be heard, may fix a date prior to the next hearing of the matter at the high court. Ghosh and four others were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case of alleged financial irregularities at the medical establishment during his tenure as the principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Holding that the allegations are very serious, the division bench, also comprising Justice Gaurang Kanth, said that it was informed that the respondent accused persons are in judicial remand at present. "Corruption in high places has serious impact on pub

RG Kar case: Deceased doctor's father says Amit Shah called him for meeting

The father of the deceased woman medic of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital said he has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has called him for a meeting. He, however, declined to divulge much about his talks with Shah and when and where the meeting would be held. "I have spoken to him (Amit Shah). He has called me (for a meeting). I cannot talk much about it, but the meeting will take place," the father of the deceased woman medic at the RG Kar Hospital told reporters on Wednesday. The parents of the victim had earlier written to Shah on October 22 requesting for an appointment to guide and help them get justice. State BJP leaders had said they would try to arrange a meeting between Shah and the couple during his visit to Kolkata on October 27, but it did not happen. The parents had, however, said they were not upset about not getting an audience with Shah during his visit and expressed hope that they may get the opportunity to meet the Union home minister in future.

JP Nadda seeks report on ladoo issue, junior doctors provide flood relief & more

Today, Union Health Minister JP Nadda sought a report on the Tirupati ladoo issue. He assured that the matter will be examined by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.

Boundary walls to washrooms: Odisha issues new safety policy for doctors

In response to the Kolkata rape and murder case, the Odisha government has introduced new safety measures at hospitals, colleges, and hostels

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Protests intensify, TMC MP resigns

Protestors in West Bengal took to the streets with the "reclaim the night" demonstration on September 8. Meanwhile, all is not well within the TMC Party

Doctor murder: Cal HC adjourns hearing PILs since SC siezed of matter

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday adjourned till September 4 the joint hearing of several PILs over the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kar Medical College and Hospital and vandalism by miscreants at the institution since the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter. Amid spiralling nationwide protests over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at the hospital, the apex court on Tuesday constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals. The SC also asked the CBI and the West Bengal government to file status reports on August 22, on the progress of their separate investigations into the alleged rape and murder of the woman postgraduate trainee doctor at Kar Medical College and Hospital and the August 15 vandalism and violence there respectively. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam said that since the Apex Court orders on the issue covered

Medic murder: OPD services stay affected as doctors' strike enters 2nd day

OPD services in government hospitals of several states across the country remained affected on Tuesday as the resident doctors' strike over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee in Kolkata entered its second day, even as the CBI took over the investigation in the case. The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), which called for a nationwide indefinite strike over the incident, on Tuesday night said it was calling off its strike as Union Health Minister J P Nadda has accepted their demands. A delegation of FORDA met with Nadda at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday night. FORDA said the decision to end the strike will be effective from Wednesday morning. "A key outcome of the meeting was the health minister's agreement to form a committee with FORDA's involvement to work on the Central Protection Act. The ministry has assured that work on this will begin within the next 15 days," the resident doctors' body said in a statement. In West Bengal, the ...

Kolkata medic's rape-murder: Maharashtra doctors begin indefinite strike

Resident doctors in Maharashtra started an indefinite strike on Tuesday morning in support of the nationwide protests by their colleagues against the rape-murder of a post-graduate trainee at a medical college in Kolkata. All elective services in hospitals across the state have been halted, but emergency services will continue uninterrupted, Maharashtra State Association of Residential Doctors (Central-MARD) president Dr Pratik Debaje told PTI. "From 9 am, we have stopped work at all OPDs (out-patient departments) and elective services have been stopped. Now, only emergency services are operational across the state," Dr Debaje said. The body of the postgraduate trainee, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, was found on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case. The incident has sparked widespread protests, with junior doctors and healthcare workers expressing de

Doctors go on indefinite strike at GTB Hospital after patient's murder

Residents' Doctors Association of GTB Hospital in Delhi have cited serious security concerns following the fatal shooting of a patient. Emergency services will remain operational

2K doctors from India to plug UK's national health service shortage

Doctors in India view this move as temporary, citing the high number of doctors produced in the country each year

Himachal to constitute committee to address grievances, demands of doctors

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was considering all their genuine demands sympathetically, but the financial condition of the State is precarious, a release said

Doctors to get exemption from prosecution in negligence cases: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre plans to amend the Criminal Law Bill to exempt doctors from criminal prosecution in cases of deaths due to medical negligence

Doctor-people ratio in India 1:834, including AYUSH professionals: Govt

India's doctor-population ratio is 1:834 assuming 80 per cent availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. There are 36.14 lakh nursing personnel in the country and the nurse-population ratio is 1:476, she said. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,08,009 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on June, 2022, Pawar said in a written reply. "Assuming 80 per cent availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in the country is 1:834," she said. Pawar also said the government has increased the number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 82 per cent in medical colleges from 387 before 2014 to 706 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 112 per cent in MBBS seats from 51,348 b

Doctors to get a Unique Identification Number in NMR by the end of 2024

Indian Medical Commission is all set to launch the National Medical Register, which will give unique identification numbers to all the doctors practising in India by the end of 2024